JULY 24, 2002

James L. Brock
James L. “Luke” Brock, 77, of Alto, died Tuesday, July 16, 2002, at Habersham County Medical Center following a brief illness.
Mr. Brock was born in Banks County on March 8, 1925. He was a son of the late Noah and Sarah Wade Brock.
Mr. Brock was retired from Mt. Vernon Mills and was a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 18, in the chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, with the Revs. Robert Magness and Woodrow Hix officiating. Burial was in the Crossroads Baptist Church cemetery.
Mr. Brock is survived by his wife, Thelma Armour Brock, Alto; daughter, Sarah Shook, Alto; son, Scott Brock, Murrayville; sisters, Imogene Smith and Louie Trotter, both of Homer; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, July 24, 2002

Allen R. Darling
Allen Richard Darling, 49, of Commerce, died Monday, July 22, 2002, at a private nursing home following an extended illness.
Mr. Darling was born in Hobart, Ind., on June 18, 1953. He was a son of the late George and Mabel Richards Darling.
Mr. Darling was a salesman with Automotive Parts, Commerce, and was a member of Trout Unlimited. He was a Catholic.
Mr. Darling was preceded in death by two brothers, James and Kenneth Darling.
Memorial services will be held at 8 p.m. Friday, July 26, at Clarkesville Baptist Church with the Rev. David Turner officiating.
Survivors include a son, Jacob Allen Darling, Demorest; sisters, June Markle, Portage, Ind., Sue Clark, Manning, S.C., Lynn Darling, Nashville, Tenn., and Jean Humbert, Hobart, Ind.; and brother, George Darling, Palm Springs, Calif.
The family will receive friends at the church from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, is in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, July 24, 2002

Edwin
R. Gibson
Edwin Ralph “Budgie” Gibson, 60, of Mt. Airy, died Sunday, July 21, 2002, at Northeast Georgia Medical Cente, Gainesville, following an extended illness.
Born in Habersham County on March 3, 1942, Mr. Gibson was a son of Irene Evans Gibson, Mt. Airy, and the late Hoyt Gibson.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and was a paint contractor. Mr. Gibson was of the Baptist denomination.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Jerry Gibson.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, in the chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, with the Rev. Butch Franklin officiating. Burial was in the Camp Creek Baptist Church cemetery, with full military honors provided by the Rabun County D.A.V. Chapter #14.
In addition to his mother, Mr. Gibson is survived by his wife, Mary Sellers Gibson, Mt. Airy; daughter, Kimberly Coker, Mt. Airy; son, Chris Coker, Cleveland; brother, Leslie Gibson, Mt. Airy; half-brother, Eugene Loudermilk, Mt. Airy; sisters, Betty Jo Darch, Clarkesville, Diana Rhinehart, Heflin, Ala., and Janice Westbrook, Homer; two step-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, July 24, 2002

Todd M. Sommers
Todd Michael Sommers, 31, of Homer, died Monday, July 15, 2002, at his residence of a sudden illness.
Mr. Sommers was the son of Wayne Sommers, Anderson, S.C., and Jean Blee, South Williamsport, Penn.
He was a machinist.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 27, at Tyrus Baptist Church with the Rev. Charles Elrod officiating.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Sommers is survived by three daughters, Joy Chapman, Cogan Station, Penn., and Breanna and McKenna Sommers, both of Commerce; one sister, Beth Lukens, South Williamsport, Penn.; and one step-brother, Cory J. Blee, Blossburg, Penn.
Crouse Funeral Home, Williamsport, Penn., was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, July 24, 2002

Beth Wright
Mrs. Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Wright, 54, of Milford Station, Nova Scotia, died at her home in the devoted care of loved ones.
Born in Montgomery, Ala., Mrs. Wright was the daughter of LuNeal Darracott Wright, Tignall, and the late John Peavy Wright.
“Beth lived with cancer finding hope, peace and strength with family and friends,” said family members. “She was a woman of remarkable insight, clarity and profound spirituality, with a discerning vision for truth, a voice which she powerfully raised in song, and hands which she elegantly turned to many arts, including weaving and gardening. She will be deeply missed.”
Cremation has taken place. The Rev. Helen Waddell and the Rev. Dr. Diane Tingley officiated at a memorial service of remembrance and thanksgiving celebrating the life of Beth Wright on Thursday, July 18, at the United Church of Canada in Milford Station, Nova Scotia. A private family committal service will be held at a later date.
In addition to her mother, Mrs. Wright is survived by her husband, Paul Chiasson, and son, Eli, Milford Station, Nova Scotia; sisters, Susan Harris (Billy), Cornelia, and Ruth Wright, Hilton Head, S.C.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, is in charge of local arrangements.
The Banks County News, July 24, 2002

Francis D. Segers
Francis Dean Segers, 24, of New Jersey and formerly of Sebring, Fla., died Saturday, July 20, 2002, at his residence following a brief illness.
Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia.

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Emma L. Jones
Mrs. Emma Lou Harris Hefner Jones, 82, of Mt. Airy, died Thursday, July 18, 2002, at her residence following an extended illness.
Mrs. Jones was born in Habersham County on April 30, 1920, the daughter of the late Henry C. and Bessie Funk Harris.
She owned Mama Lou’s Restaurant in Cornelia for many years and was a member of Welcome Home Baptist Church. Mrs. Jones was preceded in death by her first husband, Dick Hefner, her second husband, Kenneth Jones, a daughter, Maxine Hefner, a son, Henry Hefner, three brothers, Odell Harris, Joe Harris and Ernest Harris, and a sister, Willie Mae Moore.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 20, in the chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, with the Revs. Cleve Allen and Tony Goss officiating. Burial was in the Welcome Home Baptist Church cemetery.
Survivors include daughters, Frances Hefner Stagner, Mt. Airy, and Jimmie Lou Hendrixson and Mable Stephens, both of Tallahassee, Fla.; foster daughters, Maxine Galloway, Cornelia, and Mary Brotherton, Hollywood; son, Edward Hefner, Mt. Airy; sisters, Jimmie Boyd, Imogene Simpson and Betty Fry, all of Mt. Airy; 20 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, July 24, 2002

Reverend
Charles L. Bray
The Rev. Charles L. Bray, 49, of Baldwin, died Tuesday, July 16, 2002, at Habersham County Medical Center of an extended illness.
Mr. Bray was born July 30, 1952, in Jackson County, to the late David L. Bray Sr. and Cora Lee Dodd Bray.
He was employed as an insulation installer with Certainteed Insulation Company and was a member of Charity Baptist Church.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, July 19, at Charity Baptist Church with the Revs. Vaughn Howington and James Dumas officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Mr. Bray is survived by his wife, Janice Lewallen Bray, Baldwin; three sons, William Bray, Stark, Fla., Chuck Bray, Homer, and Johnny Bray, Baldwin; one daughter, Rebecca Howard, Toccoa; two brothers, David Bray, Athens, and Danny Bray, Manchester; two sisters, Rosa Lee Tice, Toccoa, and Brenda Roberts, Homer; and seven grandchildren.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, July 24, 2002

Peggy A. Samples
Mrs. Peggy Annette Sam-ples, 52, of Jefferson, died Saturday, July 20, 2002, at her residence of an extended illness.
Mrs. Samples was born April 25, 1950, in Gwinnett County, to Lawrence Walker, Buford, and Annette England Wehunt, Lula.
She was a homemaker and was a member of Center Baptist Church.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, July 22, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, with the Rev. Gary Prater officiating. Burial was in Howington Cemetery, Nicholson.
Survivors, in addition to her parents, include her husband, Namon Samples, Jefferson; four daughters, Tina Mathis and Valarie Lord, both of Commerce, and Tonia McDaniel and Jerie Howington, both of Jefferson; four sisters, Penny Elrod, Cindy Wilkins and Kim House, all of Gainesville, and Tammy Lance, South Carolina; and eight grandchildren.
Ivie Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, July 24, 2002

Mary L. Segars
Mrs. Mary Lou Segars, 82, of Baldwin, died Sunday, July 21, 2002, at Alzheimer’s Care of Commerce.
Mrs. Segars was born October 1, 1919, in Towns County, a daughter of the late J.A. and Gertrude Ledford Rogers.
She was a former school teacher at Gillsville Elementary School and was a member of Hickory Flat United Methodist Church. Mrs. Segars was preceded in death by her husband, Carson Segars, and a son, Stanley Segars.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, in the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, with the Revs. Gene Todd and Marshall Dale officiating. Burial was in the Hickory Flat United Methodist Church cemetery.
Survivors include one daughter, Glenda Lawrence, Baldwin; two sisters, Nora Bennett, Gillsville, and Gussie Hulsey, Homer; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Little-Ward Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, July 24, 2002

Bruce Martin
Bruce Martin, 25, of Alto, died Sunday, July 21, 2002, in Blairsville, from injuries sustained in an accident.
Mr. Martin was born in Habersham County on June 22, 1977. He was a graduate of Habersham Central High School, class of 1995, where he was a member of the wrestling team.
Mr. Martin was a Boy Scout and former member of Demorest Troop #650. He was a member of Cornelia United Methodist Church and had received his entered apprentice degree from Mt. Airy Lodge #141 F & AM.
Mr. Martin was manager of Bill Holt Ford in Blue Ridge, with seven years of service, and was named “Salesman of the Year” in 2001.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 25, at Cornelia United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jack Summers officiating. Burial will be in Yonah Memorial Gardens.
Survivors include his parents, Boyce and Bonnie Chastain Martin, Alto; sister and brother-in-law, Wanda and Brent Dalton, Baldwin; brother and sister-in-law, Billy Shane and Ilene Harrison, Cornelia; nephew, Blake Dalton, Baldwin; and two nieces, Amanda Dalton, Baldwin, and Kaley Harrison, Cornelia.
The family was to have received friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, July 24, 2002

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